The last Bloggiesta that I participated in- I worked my butt off on my blog. Creating new things. Cleaning the blog up. NETWORKING. This is when me and Pages Unbound crossed paths! Pages Unbound is run by 2 people (Krysta and Briana) and they love to blog (plus read!) This AWESOME post is from the perspective of Krysta as Briana had been getting the opportunity for other interviews- and they want the blogging world to know them as a unit- but also as their own personalities! I was happy to oblige and give Krysta some bloggy love! Psst.. Just in case you missed it- HERE is an interview Pages Unbound did on little ole me!

 

Bloggers Made of AWESOME: Krysta @ Pages Unbound

Krysta- when did you begin blogging?

Briana and I began our blog in May 2011, so I’ve been blogging for about two and a half years now!

How did you and Briana come up with the name Pages Unbound?

We threw around quite a lot of names, but Pages Unbound seemed to capture the spirit of really taking apart a book to look at how and why it works. I also think it reflects the magic of books—how they sometimes seem to come alive in a way you might not expect.

What are your thoughts on blogging today in an ever-changing book-ish world? Are blogs helping other readers connect with good books?

Blogging is a really exciting experience because it exposes you to a world I think many avid readers still do not know exists. It can be fun getting ARCs from publishers and things like that, but the real draw for me are the connections I can make both with authors and with other readers. I’ve read many books I might never have heard of if it were not for the blogging community. If I tend to agree with a blogger about what constitutes good literature and what books I think are good, I am definitely more willing to try a title I’ve seen reviewed on that blog, even if it is not a genre I typically read.

When you are not blogging (or reading!)- what do you like to do?

I like to watch movies, bake, and try to teach myself foreign languages. I think if I got lost in Italy at the moment, I could ask for the train station and maybe buy a newspaper. That’s totally useful, right?

Do you have any #literaryconfessions?

I’ve never read The Iliad or The Odyssey. And I’m completely ashamed of myself.

Do you have a #literarycrush?

I don’t really have a literary crush. When I see a really great character, I want him to get together with his destined literary crush!

What books are you looking forward to reading in 2014?

All of them! I am trying to get through my complete Shakespeare, however, so that’s my number one goal for 2014!

What is a book (or 2!) that you’ve read and LOVED- but did not get positive reviews?

I can’t think of any book in particular, but I do have a fondness for novels that oftentimes have a bit of a sentimental element to them—A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter, for example. Though that’s a classic and well-beloved by many.

In your opinion, what book has been the best book you have read  in 2013?

No contest—Dante’s Divine Comedy. But John Freccero’s commentary Dante: The Poetics of Conversion was a close second. The two just go together.

You have a beach vacation planned. What are the 3 books that you must bring?

J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, Chaim Potok’s My Name is Asher Lev, and something light and fun. Maybe a Jessica Day George book or a fairy tale retelling.

Are you an e-book or tree book lover? Or does it not matter?

I love paper books! The weight, smell, and texture of the book are all a special part of its bookishness.

How do you find other blogs to read? Recommendations of other bloggers?

I mostly find blogs when people come to comment on our blog. As for recommendations, there are so many great bloggers out there. I really like Simoa’s blog at http://animatedholiday.blogspot.com/, though. She talks about Pixar films, classic movies, and the always wonderful Audrey Hepburn.

Pages Unbound has a feature IF YOU LIKE. What is your favorite thing about this feature?

I like that it is the perfect feature for me! Whenever I read a good book, I want to know where I can find more books like it. Unfortunately, the recommendations generated by algorithms on various websites are often not close to what I want. You sometimes need the human element to discern what books have the same feel and spirit and that’s what we provide.

What is a book that you’ve wanted to read, but just haven’t found the time?

For years I’ve wanted to read Shelby Foote’s classic Civil War trilogy, but each book is about 800 pages and I never made it past the first few battles. But this upcoming year will be the year! (That’s what I’m telling myself, anyway.)

 

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